We met November 2016 after an intramural basketball game at Berry College, where we both went to school. I had just finished going for a run and last minute decided to go watch the game to cheer on some of my friends, but I was pretty distracted by the tall blonde guy on the other team who was really good at basketball. I had never really just looked at someone before and thought, "wow I really want to get to know that person" from just seeing them for the first time, but I am really thankful God opened up my eyes in that moment. After the game, one of our mutual friends introduced us. We didn't say much, but immediately after I texted my mom and said "I just met a really cute boy but I just finished running and I'm so uncute right now...." classic. A few days later I went to eat lunch and he was there, so we started talking. We realized we had a lot in common. We shared similar background and passions and I was really drawn to that. After a few weeks of being friends, he asked me out on a date to get coffee and share our testimonies. I secretly didn't even drink coffee at the time, but pretended to because I wanted to impress him and was also blown away by the fact that he wanted to hear my story and share his. The date went well (obviously) and we started dating in January of 2017. Theres a lot more to our story and a lot more that I could say about Josiah, but I will leave it at this: I am very thankful for God's plan and that he has led me to this place in my life. I found my best friend and the person I know who will always have my back, will bend over backwards to serve the people he loves and always seeks Christ first.

I could say a lot about why I want to marry Kristen, but all you need to know is she makes me extremely happy. So I started looking for a ring. This can be pretty stressful, but after looking at lots of rings, I found one that made me stop in amazement of how simply "Kristen" it was. I couldn't afford it yet, so I went to work. I finally earned the money and went to order it. I was trying to purchase it and freaked out when the order wouldn't go through. Turns out Bank of America doesn't like you making big purchases from Israel. Despite the setbacks, I bought her ring standing in none other than Moes. I started to come up with ideas of how to propose. I wanted to surprise her even though she knew it was coming. So, I planned and set it all up. The week arrives, but the ring hasn't. uh-oh. I'm freaking out when I get a text that the ring is getting delivered the DAY BEFORE I planned to propose. But, It came and the next day we were planning to hike. We were figuring out where, and I tried to casually suggest a fire tower (where I first said I love you). This makes Kristen suspicious so I reassure her that she can pick wherever knowing she would probably pick the tower. So we head out when we get to the trail. My friends who were supposed to set up were behind us. Luckily, there were 2 ways to the top, so I made sure I took my time hiking so they could beat us to the tower. We finally reached the bottom of the steps and my heart is pounding, knowing once I reach the top there's no turning back and we were getting engaged. Those steps seemed to take forever, but when Kristen finally reached the top she saw a rug from world market that she was wanting with a picnic basket full of wine, grapes, cheese, and wildflowers galore on the tower floor! I walked up to her and got on my knee and asked my best friend to spend the rest of her life letting me love her with everything I am. As you can tell she said YES!

Any questions about the wedding? email us at kristenheerema@gmail.com